WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: SOMALIA OPERATIONS SITUATION UPDATE AS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 UN ROME 000012 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/HS, PRM/MCE, AF AND EB/IFD/ODA USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, AND AFRICA BUREAU NAIROBI FOR GEORGIANNA PLATT, SUREKA KHANDAGLE, NICK COX AND PETE MOHAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: WFP AORC EAID PREF UNHCR SUBJECT: WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: SOMALIA OPERATIONS SITUATION UPDATE AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 2010 REF: A) 09 STATE 132604; B) UN ROME 01; C) UN ROME 03; D) UN ROME 08; AND E) UN ROME 10 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) On February 2, WFP reported that artillery/mortar exchanges between militants and the TFG over the weekend in Mogadishu did not impact WFP operations as there was no shelling in the vicinity of the port where WFP operates. WFP expressed some concern about possible expansion of the shelling into the port area. ¶3. (SBU) On February 1, WFP disseminated its latest situation report to the WFP Executive Board. The text is pasted in its entirety below: BEGIN REPORT "WFP Somalia Operations Situation As of February 1, 2010 Summary Update -- As of last weekend UNHAS flights from Nairobi to Hargeisa have been diverted to Berbera due to the deterioration of the Hargeisa runway. It has become unsafe for use by the jet aircraft operating Nairobi-Hargeisa route. Caravan-operated flights will fly between Berbera and Hargeisa. UNDP plans to rehabilitate the airstrip after resolving issues with the Somaliland authorities. -- 60 mt of assorted WFP commodities arrived safely in Afgoye from Mogadishu. This is the first delivery to Afgoye since WFP temporarily suspended operations in Southern Somalia. Additional commodities recently offloaded in Mogadishu will be delivered to Afgoye IDPs. -- On 27 January 2010, a delegation from the Somali Transitional Federal Government, comprised of the Minister of State for Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister of Higher Education and the Somali Ambassador to Kenya held talks with WFP Somalia in Nairobi on mutual cooperation. The delegation expressed gratitude to WFP for the support to the Somali people through food assistance and recovery projects. -- WFP and Partners distributed 1,228 mt of assorted food commodities to 98,400 beneficiaries under General Food Distribution (GFD) in Hobyo, Galkayo, and Hardhere Districts of Mudug Region. A further 347 mt was distributed to 43,800 beneficiaries in Adaado District, Galgadud Region. Food intended for 92 households in Elgula village, South Hobyo could not be delivered as the residents had vacated the village due to conflict and severe drought. -- The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FAO/FSNAU),together with FEWS NET Somalia, presented the findings of the Post Deyr `09/10 Seasonal Assessment and Analysis at a special meeting on January 29, 2010. It indicated a mixed picture of overall rainfall performance: normal to above normal rainfall in most parts of South, but below normal to very poor in Central, Northeast and parts of the Northwest regions. A press release is expected to be issued by FSNAU early this week. -- WFP will release updated beneficiary numbers and commodity requirements in the coming weeks based on the FSNAU findings. -- A total 2,904 mt of assorted food was offloaded at Mogadishu port and 593 mt at Berbera port., -- Flights to Galkayo, Bossasso and Hergeisa are continuing while flights to Mogadishu are approved on a case by case basis. WFP Security Update -- Mogadishu: Day missions for international staff members are possible subject to UNDSS New York Security Clearance. WFP National staff members continue to operate from the seaport. UN ROME 00000012 002 OF 002 Reports indicate that VBIED and or PBIED attacks are highly expected to occur in Mogadishu Villa Somalia, MIA, Seaport and UNCC are at particular risk. -- Puntland: Assassinations and hand grenade explosions are expected to continue especially in Galkacyo, Bossasso and Garowe. The Sool region, in particular the capital Las Anod remains a hot spot, as both Somaliland and Puntland claim this territory and has fought over its control. There is currently no indication that extremists from south central zones are behind recent attacks. Considering recent incidents, there is a trend of increased insecurity and instability in Las Anod, resulting in reduced access for UN missions. -- In Hargeisa, Bossasso and Galkacyo, international staff members are present and able to continue with programme activities for Northern and Central Regions. Somaliland presidential elections remain the highest point of concern, followed by threats of suicide attacks." END REPORT COUSIN